At the end of a long day, you may want to simply head straight to bed and do nothing else. You might do your nightly routine quickly, but if you have dentures, then you need to make sure you soak them for the night. It’s important to take them out and put them in water or a special cleaner, but why should you? Well, here are three reasons this habit is a great one to build.
1.) Your Dentures Will Be Properly Cleaned
When you feel your dentures with your fingers or tongue, you might imagine they are completely solid. However, they have tiny pores in them. These spaces can harbor bacteria, so you will need to clear them out. While you may think brushing can take care of them, the bristles can’t effectively do this. Instead, soaking this prosthetic can allow the areas to get flushed out. That way, you avoid buildup and even a bad smell!
2.) You Can Wipe Down Your Gums
Your dentures sit on your gums and form a suction to hold them in place. This gives you your bite back, and it may feel comfortable to have them in, but you shouldn’t wear them 24/7. Doing this can lead to increased jawbone loss because of the constant friction. Not only that, but bacteria can build up underneath the restoration and attack the soft tissues in your mouth. They can become inflamed, which will change the fit over time.
By soaking this prosthetic, you will have a chance to clean off buildup on your gums and allow them to breathe. That way, you avoid any problems and keep smiling without any trouble.
3.) You Preserve Your Denture’s Shape
There may be some nights when you’re tempted to leave your dentures on the counter overnight, but they are designed to stay wet. When they dry out, you risk them cracking and becoming less flexible. If this happens, then you may need a replacement sooner than expected, so simply place them in a glass of water at least.
In the end, soaking your dentures is a crucial part of taking care of them. While you might see it as an “extra” step at first, sticking to it will soon make it a part of your routine. That way, you can protect your full smile for as long as possible.
About the Practice
At Next Door Dental, our team is proud to provide high-quality dentures to patients throughout Greensboro and the surrounding areas. Dr. Thomas Bagley and Dr. Raul Garcia are committed to helping you enjoy a comfortable, confident smile by customizing your restoration to you. Whether you’re new to this prosthetic or have questions about your current one, schedule an appointment or call our office at (336) 854-5850.